During an annual air force event near Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s military presented a “medal of honor” to Haluk Bayraktar, the head of Turkish drone company Baykar.
The recognition comes in light of Baykar’s support in enhancing Ethiopia’s air force capabilities amid the two-year civil conflict in Tigray.
The award ceremony, where Ethiopia’s army chief handed over the honor, highlighted the pivotal role of Baykar in assisting the country during the conflict. Haluk Bayraktar expressed his gratitude, stating he felt honored to receive the rare recognition, especially as a foreign national.
The deployment of armed drones is believed to have significantly influenced the course of the civil war in favor of the federal government.
The conflict concluded in November of the previous year following a peace agreement signed in South Africa.
While specifics about the award remain unclear, it appears distinct from Ethiopia’s usual National Medal of Honour, typically conferred by the country’s president.
Across Africa, there’s a growing trend of nations acquiring Turkish drones to combat various armed groups, highlighting the increasing reliance on this technology among African states.
